Business growth on solid track

2018 looks bright for Avon and Avon Lake

Municipal support for local business provided a number of positive developments in Avon and Avon Lake as 2017 comes to a close.

The east-side of Lorain County saw a number of positive developments in 2017 providing a lot of momentum as the year comes close to conclusion.

In a year which provided much to look forward, 2018 is showing promise that new business locating in those cities will continue, officials from the cities say.

The city of Avon had a number of commercial developments move forward with the opening of a 14,000-square-foot Duluth Trading Co. on Oct. 5, and Melt Bar and Grilled’s on Aug. 28, its first restaurant in Lorain County.

Chester Avenue continues to be under construction with the area awaiting the completion of a new Ashley Furniture store and a new Main Event Entertainment complex in the 35000 block, providing a boost to the city’s commercial economic infrastructure.

In 2019, Avon will welcome Meijer and Menards.

The commercial development strategy takes advantage of the highway interchanges harnessing commuter traffic, leaders of the cities say.

Avon Lake saw positive developments with the approval of a new recreation center scheduled to open in January 2018 at the Arts town Plaza, 33483 Lake Road, where residents will be able to take part in a number of activities providing an economic benefit to the city.

“We think that it’s going to bring several hundred cars in that parking lot to impact the businesses that area and we think that will be a dual opportunity for the city,” said Avon Lake Mayor Gregory Zilka.

The Patton family, owners of the complex, will install new flooring while Avon Lake is working on installing six glass basketball backboards, a portable batting cage, lockers in addition to painting the space, Zilka said.

The indoor space will be able to accommodate basketball, tennis, volleyball, dodgeball, fitness classes and a host of other activities, he said.

The city will lease the space and Zilka added it will serve as a wonderful economic partnership providing much needed space for winter recreation, while at the same time, support for local businesses.

Avon Lake also continued with the fifth year of the Job Growth Incentive Program providing rebates to businesses that generate increased tax revenue for the city.

The city paid out nearly $160,000 in incentives in a continuing desire to make Avon Lake business friendly in working with the business community, Zilka said.

“For smaller businesses, it turns out to be not a great deal of money,” he said. “But it sends a signal that we are business friendly and want to help businesses succeed.

“We’ve had solid numbers from Ford and Poly One and we are optimistic that our economic well-being is on the right track.”

Zilka said over the course of the year, the city has continued working with Ford and Poly One.